Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys: 2012 Week 15 Recap

Game story

In Week 15 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-12-16, the Dallas Cowboys took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 27–24 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) paced the passing game, with +11.63 total EPA, and +3.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.63 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-51.9% win probability) landed in overtime when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (14:29) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 17-M.Wallace INTERCEPTED by 39-B.Carr at PIT 37. 39-B.Carr to PIT 1 for 36 yards (83-H.Miller).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Romo · Dallas Cowboys · Passing · +11.63 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
2. 2 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +8.56 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.22 EPA/play
3. 3 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +6.86 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Brown · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.15 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Hanna · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +3.57 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.79 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Cotchery · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.35 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.68 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Austin · Dallas Cowboys · Receiving · +2.90 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
8. 8 W. Johnson · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.59 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.29 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Dallas Cowboys — J. Witten (T. Romo pass) (Q2 41:07)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 30:47)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bryant (T. Romo pass) (Q3 21:10)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Dwyer (Q3 19:27)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 12:43)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Murray (Q4 6:58)

Field goals

• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (Q1 53:41)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — S. Suisham (Q2 36:07)
• Dallas Cowboys — D. Bailey (OT 13:41)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PIT 32 (Q1 53:41) — (8:41) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PIT 17 (Q2 41:07) — (11:07) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a seam route.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q2 41:02) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DAL 14 (Q2 36:07) — (6:07) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DAL 30 (Q2 30:47); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q2 30:34) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PIT 24 (Q3 21:10) — (6:10) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 88-D.Bryant for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on an up and out toss to the pylon.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 21:03) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DAL 1 (Q3 19:27); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q3 19:16) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DAL 7 (Q4 12:43) — (12:43) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on an out route.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DAL 2 (Q4 12:37) — 6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler.; Dallas Cowboys found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q4 6:58) — (6:58) 29-D.Murray up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Dallas Cowboys added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 6:55) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman..

Overtime: Dallas Cowboys won the period 3–0. Dallas Cowboys connected on a field goal from the PIT 3 (OT 13:41) — (13:41) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (OT 14:29) — (14:29) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 17-M.Wallace INTERCEPTED by 39-B.Carr at PIT 37. 39-B.Carr to PIT 1 for 36 yards (83-H.Miller). [WPA -51.9% · EPA -7.16]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 0:32) — (:32) (Punt formation) 2-B.Moorman punts 43 yards to end zone, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Touchback. [WPA -19.8% · EPA -0.44]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 12:43) — (12:43) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on an out route. [WPA +18.4% · EPA +2.29]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 1:03) — (1:03) (Punt formation) 9-D.Butler punts 47 yards to DAL 12, Center-60-G.Warren. 17-D.Harris to PIT 49 for 39 yards (26-W.Allen). Punt returned along right side of the field. [WPA -17.5% · EPA -1.69]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 20:23) — (5:23) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 17-M.Wallace to DAL 2 for 60 yards (43-G.Sensabaugh). Pass complete on a deep post pattern [WPA +16.4% · EPA +5.48]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (OT 14:29) — (14:29) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 17-M.Wallace INTERCEPTED by 39-B.Carr at PIT 37. 39-B.Carr to PIT 1 for 36 yards (83-H.Miller). [WPA -51.9% · EPA -7.16]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 20:23) — (5:23) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 17-M.Wallace to DAL 2 for 60 yards (43-G.Sensabaugh). Pass complete on a deep post pattern [WPA +16.4% · EPA +5.48]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q4 10:18) — (10:18) (Punt formation) 2-B.Moorman punts 60 yards to PIT 16, Center-91-L.Ladouceur. 84-A.Brown to PIT 38 for 22 yards (57-V.Butler). FUMBLES (57-V.Butler), RECOVERED by DAL-89-J.Phillips at PIT 44. [WPA +13.6% · EPA +4.64]
• Dallas Cowboys (Q1 45:51) — (:51) 29-D.Murray up the middle to PIT 7 for no gain (92-J.Harrison). FUMBLES (92-J.Harrison), RECOVERED by PIT-99-B.Keisel at PIT 8. 99-B.Keisel to PIT 8 for no gain (77-T.Smith). [WPA -9.5% · EPA -4.55]

Quarterback report card

T.Romo led all passers in efficiency for Dallas Cowboys, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• T.Romo (Dallas Cowboys) · 47 dropbacks · 63.8% completion · +3.6% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +11.63 total EPA
• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 44 dropbacks · 54.5% completion · -1.1% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +6.86 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Pittsburgh Steelers +0.05, Dallas Cowboys +0.07) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Dallas Cowboys: 13 drives, +6.08 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +4.29 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Dallas Cowboys leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• T. Romo (Dallas Cowboys) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• T. Romo (DAL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — Q1 53:41 · PIT 32 · Score 0-3
   (8:41) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.
2. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q2 41:07 · PIT 17 · Score 0-9
   (11:07) (Shotgun) 9-T.Romo pass deep middle to 82-J.Witten for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on a seam route.
3. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q2 41:02 · PIT 2 · Score 0-10
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 36:07 · DAL 14 · Score 3-10
   (6:07) (Field Goal formation) 6-S.Suisham 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 30:47 · DAL 30 · Score 9-10
   (:47) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 83-H.Miller for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-J.Hatcher]. Roethlisberger buys time; escapes pressure twice befo
6. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 30:34 · DAL 2 · Score 10-10
   6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler.
7. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q3 21:10 · PIT 24 · Score 10-16
   (6:10) 9-T.Romo pass deep right to 88-D.Bryant for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on an up and out toss to the pylon.
8. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q3 21:03 · PIT 2 · Score 10-17
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 19:27 · DAL 1 · Score 16-17
   (4:27) 27-J.Dwyer right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 19:16 · DAL 2 · Score 17-17
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 12:43 · DAL 7 · Score 23-17
    (12:43) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-A.Brown for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Pass complete on an out route.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 12:37 · DAL 2 · Score 24-17
    6-S.Suisham extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-9-D.Butler.
13. Dallas Cowboys TD (+6) — Q4 6:58 · PIT 3 · Score 24-23
    (6:58) 29-D.Murray up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Dallas Cowboys XP (+1) — Q4 6:55 · PIT 2 · Score 24-24
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.
15. Dallas Cowboys FG (+3) — OT 13:41 · PIT 3 · Score 24-27
    (13:41) (Field Goal formation) 5-D.Bailey 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-91-L.Ladouceur, Holder-2-B.Moorman.